The Arizona Commerce Authority’s Small Business Accounting Academy provides Arizona entrepreneurs with useful accounting practices. The series of monthly online classes supports businesses preparing for funding opportunities, builds financial management skills and complements the one-on-one accounting assistance available through SSBCI Technical Assistance. Each session includes demonstrations and time for participant questions.
The Small Business Accounting Academy is designed to address a common challenge for early-stage and disadvantaged small businesses such as bookkeeping, tax compliance and financial reporting. These are crucial steps in preparing for loan applications and funding opportunities.
Participants receive practical instruction on bookkeeping, accounting software, payroll fundamentals, sales tax requirements, financial statements and year-end preparation. The program delivers policy-aligned guidance that helps businesses maintain compliance, improve transparency and build the financial capacity lenders expect. The program features:
- Monthly live virtual classes
- Demonstrations followed by open Q&As
- Topics alternate between accounting fundamentals and QuickBooks Online training
- Designed for very small businesses (VSBs) and socially/economically disadvantaged business owners (SEDI) across Arizona
Luann Roberts is a Certified Public Accountant with extensive experience supporting small businesses through practical financial education and advisory services. Her work focuses on helping entrepreneurs establish sound accounting systems, interpret financial reports and meet state and federal compliance requirements. Roberts brings a policy-aligned and accessible approach to accounting topics, making complex information understandable for business owners preparing for growth, lending or technical assistance programs.
January 28th, 2026 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Congratulations! You've started a business and everyone loves your product/service. Maybe you formed an LLC too. Learn the next steps of what to "write off", how to pay yourself and what you might owe for income, sales or payroll taxes. Get your questions answered in an open Q&A.
February 25th, 2026 | 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Participants receive an introduction to QuickBooks, including how to structure a chart of accounts, connect financial institutions and record basic transactions. Attendees are encouraged to create a QuickBooks Simple Start file prior to the session.
March 25th, 2026 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am
This session explains the purpose and structure of balance sheets and profit & loss statements. Participants learn how these reports inform business decisions and loan applications, particularly for programs offered through the ACA.
May 6th, 2026 | 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
This class offers deeper instruction on QuickBooks Online, including creating banking rules, categorizing transactions efficiently, uploading receipts, tracking mileage, and reconciling accounts. The Q&A segment allows participants to troubleshoot issues in real time.
May 20th, 2026 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Arizona business owners who sell products may be required to file Transaction Privilege Tax. This class walks through creating an AZTaxes.gov account, completing the application, and submitting a basic TPT return. General questions will be addressed during the Q&A, although detailed tax matters may require a referral to the Arizona Department of Revenue.
June 24th, 2026 | 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
This session focuses on managing customer billing through QuickBooks. Participants learn how to create and send invoices, enable online payments, use estimates, track outstanding balances and automate payment reminders.
July 29th, 2026 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Business owners receive an overview of the legal and tax differences between employees and subcontractors. The class covers W-2 and 1099 requirements, payroll tax basics, filing deadlines and the roles of state and federal agencies.
September 30th, 2026 | 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Participants gain a clear comparison of common business structures, including LLCs, SCorporations, sole proprietorships and partnerships. The class explains the legal and tax implications of each entity and outlines how elections are made with the Arizona Corporation Commission and the IRS.
October 28th, 2026 | 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
This session prepares business owners for year-end financial review. With transactions updated in QuickBooks, participants will examine their profit & loss and balance sheet reports, discuss tax implications, and explore planning considerations prior to December 31.
Explore 1:1 Accounting Assistance Through SSBCI TA. The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) manages the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Technical Assistance (TA) Program for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses (SEDI-owned businesses) and VSBs (very small businesses). The technical assistance program offers 1:1 Accounting advisory services at no additional cost.